With all of our family visiting lately, we were blessed with invitations to all of the major Orlando area attractions. It was a welcome distraction from all the phone calls and paperwork that we've been dealing with around here. The first trip was a day at Disney World with Mama, Papa, and the cousins.
Our first trip to Mickey Mouse's House was just over a year ago, so this was our second trip with the Christmas decorations out. We were blessed with relatively light crowds, despite the holiday season.
Awww, all the girls in front of the princess castle.
The girls enjoyed extended times on the "walk monkeys". Tom Sawyer Island was a special favorite.
Baby Annaliese joined the girls in her stroller for most of the time. In and out, in to walk, out to wait in lines. It was an exciting but physically exhausting day.
When evening came, we were happy to do a few rounds on our favorite ride, It's a Small World.
Melina was terrified getting into the boat, but really enjoyed the music and dancers.
Carrie was looking pretty tired by that point.
That was the happiest that Devon looked all day. I'm not sure why he was in such a bad mood. He definitely brought the overall level of happiness in The Happiest Place on Earth down a few notches. I'll never forget the sound of his whining and begging "I want to go HOME!!!" Poor guy. All this talk about moving is confusing for him!
He was much happier at the beach surrounded by all his cousins.
While not our very last beach trip, it was the last time for a while that the kids will take a dip in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Sniff.
Devon was in heaven surrounded by all these boys. His cousins Daniel, Jeremy, Jed and John are his heroes and best friends.
Craig enjoyed time with Sven and David. Both were attendants at our wedding and always fun to be around.
David's visit was Craig's last opportunity to "go gator hunting", that is, hiking in the natural Florida landscape.
Our trip to Kennedy Space Center the day after Thanksgiving was very pleasant for all concerned.
The stroller folk did really well, as the park was not as crowded and gave several opportunities to walk around.
The kids enjoyed the bus ride, delighting the passengers by bursting into a shrill round of spontaneous applause and cheers when we pulled up.
We really, really enjoyed the new Atlantis space shuttle exhibit. It was the one thing Craig and I missed on our last visit in June. We are so glad to have had an opportunity to go back.
The girls enjoyed footsies in the stroller in line for Atlantis.
There was even a Santa tucked away in a corner of the IMAX theatre.
Devon did much better at Kennedy, warming up to the exhibits and enjoying himself for most of the day. The next day, he paused on his tricycle to point up at the sky and ask "Mommy, is that the sky that has UPPER SPACE in it?"
A week later, we met my aunt and family at Sea World for a super fun day. Devon is now a huge Shamu fan!
All three kids had a blast! I've never seen them eat so much or be quite so excited.
Devon enjoyed the unlimited refills on the meal plan so much he had to be rushed out of one of the shows to "go peepee on a tree".
Devon was not a fan of the 3D turtle movie, or the glasses. "I do not wear these glasses. I wear THOMAS glasses," he said over and over.
The girls enjoyed being led by Auntie Naomi and getting rides on Uncle Nathaniel's wheelchair.
Devon charmed his way to a Squeaky Orca and Squeaky dolphin souvenir. They're still announcing their presence in our household several times a day.
Nobody napped and everyone was still going strong at the last show around 10 pm. Wow, what a full day!
We fed the giraffes at Brevard Zoo the next day. So I guess that makes four unique Florida experiences that we're unlikely to have again in the near future. We'll have to come back someday, though. They're just too good to never do again...
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